A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

A federal judge sentenced a former Arkansas judge Wednesday to five years in prison — a stiffer punishment than prosecutors recommended — after he admitted giving young male defendants lighter sentences in return for personal benefits that included sexual favours.

Every time I tell a mate I’m doing a story on cryptocurrency, they invariably ask me the same two questions: should they invest their own hard-earned money, and which cryptocurrency will get them a Lamborghini/yacht/island quickest?

In a 60 Minutes online exclusive, reporter Liz Hayes quizzed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his relationship with the unpredictable Twitter aficionado and US president Donald Trump ahead of their meeting at the White House Friday.

Doctors welcome NSW travel scheme changes

Thousands of NSW rural patients who travel to receive treatment for chronic diseases will have less paperwork to deal with after changes to the state's assistance scheme.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Cancer Council have welcomed the overhaul of the NSW government's Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS), announced on Thursday.

The changes, to take effect on January 1, 2013, will create a simpler and speedier claim process for patients, Health Minister Jillian Skinner said on Thursday.

"It will also benefit referring practitioners and specialists who will save time by being able to delegate signing authority to administrative staff."

Under the changes, patients will have 12 months rather than six to make a claim, and those with private health insurance will no longer need to prove that they cannot claim travel and/or accommodation benefits from their fund.

A broader definition of who can sign the application form on behalf of the referring practitioner will be adopted and a shorter application form will be created.

AMA (NSW) President Professor Brian Owler said the move will allow doctors to spend more time with their patients and less time grappling with red tape.

"(This) will ultimately benefit those who need to travel great distances to access specialist treatment services," he said.

Cancer Council NSW advocacy and policy manager Anita Tang said people were struggling to reclaim their costs under the current system.

"We have long been calling for the IPTAAS administration process to be simplified," she said.